Japan’s Birth Rate Issue – 40 years Into The Future

The idea of overpopulation and demographics in Japan are experiencing a major shift, especially within the next 40 years. Upcoming forecasts anticipate that the population of Japan is expected to fall by up to 40 million people by the year 2065.

With the current population of Japan sitting around 127 million people, trends are pointing towards a major downshift in population growth into the future. These trends show no signs of slowing down and with the population shrinking to around 88 million within the next 20 years, by the year 2115 the population of Japan could reach 51 million.

Although Japan is currently the 11th most populated country in the world, their government is looking to improve birthrates to help combat a population which is significantly aging. Much of Japan’s industry is now facing a huge shortage of young workers and as a result, a wide range of the infrastructure throughout Japan is in need of able working bodies as well as a future generation to maintain them.

Japan has a huge life expectancy amongst its residents, with the chance for the average life expectancy to go up to 109 by the year 2065.

This could mean that in the year 2065 seniors over the age of 65 will represent nearly 40% of the population of the country.

As low fertility rates continue, this can represent a huge demographic problem for the future of Japan’s working public. It could even force a number of seniors to continue working well past the age of 65 to keep some businesses open.

This birthrate crisis materialized last year when Japanese birthrates accumulated below 1 million. This was the first time since the year 1899 that the birthrate fell so low in the country.

It seems as though there will be many upcoming initiatives for attracting new workers to Japan as well as incentives for the improvement of birthrates across the country.